Display sign

ABSTRACT

The sign has an upright planar supporting panel unit carrying like integrally extended, horizontally elongated supporting brackets on opposite side surfaces thereof, each of which presents upwardly and downwardly opening clip support recesses. These receive arcuate nose portions of double-armed spring metal clips by which sign indicia are removably supported on the panel. The spring arms terminate outwardly in oppositely directed locking fingers, and after compressive flexure of the spring arms toward and flatwise against one another from an approximately 90* relaxed relationship, their fingers are inserted into a bayonet-type keeper slot of a clip holder part on the rear of a sign indicium member, whereupon the arms are released from compression and spread to interlock their fingers with the indicium&#39;&#39;s keeper slot.

United States Patent Pittman et al. [451 Oct. 10, 1972 [54] DISPLAY SIGN Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell [72] Inventors: Phillip D. Pittman, Sterling Height; Asslstam Exammer wenceslao Contreras both of Mich-r [73] Assignee: Endura Board International, Inc.,

Sterling Heights, Mich. 22 Filed; Feb. 16, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 115,186

[52] US. Cl. ..40/142 [51] Int. Cl ..G09i 7/02 [58] Field of Search ..40/140, 142 R, 10,11, 143

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,092,508 9/ 1937 Hammar ..40/ 142 R 3,225,477 12/1965 Edwards ..40/l42 R 3,470,640 10/ 1969 Knowles ..40/ 140 3,574,964 4/1971 Ownbey ..40/ 140 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 159,891 1l/l954 Australia ..40/l42 Michael L. Peters, Mt. Clemens,

Attorney-Whittemore, Hulbert & Belknap [57] ABSTRACT 90 relaxed relationship, their fingers are inserted into a bayonet-type keeper slot of a clip holder part on the rear of a sign indicium member, whereupon the arms are released from compression and spread to interlock their fingers with the indiciums keeper slot.

18 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDncI 10 m 3.696; 541

sum 1 0F 2 4 FlG.l /4

lNVEN TOR 44/6/7444"! 1. Fifi/RS BY f ATTORNEYS DISPLAY SIGN BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention The display sign of the invention finds wide usage in outside advertising settings, as at motels, places of entertainment, and the like, in which a frequent or periodical removal and replacement of letter or other display indicia of the sign is customary.

2. Description of the Prior Art The US. Pats. to Edwards, No. 3,225,477 of Dec. 28, 1965, No. 3,289,340 of Dec. 6, 1966 and No. 3,315,392 of Apr. 25, 1967 relate to display signs of a nature generally similar to the one herein disclosed, in that letter-type indicia are removably attached to a supporting panel structure by connecting clip means of one sort or another. However, the sign structure of the invention differs materially from the Edwards structures in respect to its improved clips and its improved panel and indicium provisions to removably receive the clips.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The sign is generally characterized by an upright center supporting panel unit of rectangular outline bordered by attractive tongue and groove-connected trim members miter-connected on one another at 45 ends. Said panel unit, whether constituted by a single panel part or like panel parts tongue and groove connected to one another, presents parallel rows of horizontally elongated and laterally projecting support members or brackets, preferably molded integral with the body proper of the unit as an extrusion of a suitable material.

The rows of support brackets project symmetrically from opposite sides of the panel proper and are identically shaped to afford upwardly and downwardly open ing recesses along the length thereof. These recesses are preferably of a reentrant nature, not only in the interest of a stable reception and support of the indicium clips, but also to afford an attractive external appearance at areas of the panel unit exposed between the display indicia. The vertically spaced support bracket formations on either side of the central panel portion optionally receive from above or from below the inner nose or bight portions of the spring clips, which in turn interlock releasably but firmly with the indicia at terminal finger portions of the clips; and each of the indicium pieces will customarily have at least one upper clip and one lower clip bayonet slot-interlocked with the rear of the piece, the clip noses nesting in vertically successive bracket rows of the panel unit.

In a relaxed or free condition of the clip its spring arms extend L-shape in approximately 90 relation to one another, being finger-compressible resiliently to a side-by-side relation to one another for application of the indicium part thereto. In this condition, the finger extremities of the clip arm have an overall vertical dimension sufficiently small to enable them to enter a rear mouth of the bayonet slot-type clip holder or keeper element on the indicium piece, whereupon the arms are allowed to spread to a divergent relationship in which they firmly interlock with the keeper element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partially broken away, of a display sign in accordance with the invention, an illustrative version of letter indicia being applied thereto;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective exploded view showing individual components of the sign;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged scale view in rear elevation of a typical removable letter indicium;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary end view of the sign assembly in a larger scale than FIGS. l-3, being partially broken away and vertically sectioned transversely on a line corresponding to line 4-4 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is an end view of a two-armed spring clip component pursuant to the invention, shown in its relaxed, free condition, the clip arms being compressible to and beyond the outline of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The improved display sign of the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 10, is shown in FIG. 1 as comprising a rectangular upright center panel unit 12 of single or plural part construction, as will be described, which panel structure is bordered on its four sides by attractive frame trim members 14. Panel unit 12 comprises one or more like rectangular panel members 16 in the form of horizontally elongated extrusions of aluminum or other extrudable material; and the four trim parts 14 are also preferably metal extrusions in a generally triangular, hollow closed section, as appears in FIGS. 2 and 4. They are connected in vertical register with one another at 45 miter ends 15. FIG. 1 shows the sign 10 as being arbitrarily indiciumequipped at 16 for the purpose of illustration.

As indicated above, and as best illustrated in FIG. 4, the center support panel unit 12 of the sign may comprise but single extrusion 16 or it may be constituted in greater height by a plurality of the extrusions tongue and groove-connected to one another. Thus, each panel part 16 will present a horizontal groove 19 extending along its top edge; and the'bottom edge has a full length projecting tongue or rib element 20 sized to mate snugly in a groove 19 of an adjacent extrusion part 16. Opposite vertical end edges of the panel parts preferably lack corresponding rib elements 20, in the interest of low production cost, but may have them if desired.

As for the triangle-sectioned frame trim extrusions 14, they are formed to present a full length recess 21 of rectangular shape in an apex part thereof, such recesses being of a width for a frictional fit over edges of panel unit 12. A narrower counter-recess or groove 22 is formed in each recess 21; and in the case of the top trim extrusion 14 the counter-recess 22 coacts with the top edge recess 19 of the panel 12 in receiving an elongated spline strip 23, thus affording a firm and stable innerconnection of said panel unit 12 and the upper frame trim extrusion. Of course, in the case of the bottom of the panel the trim extrusion counter-groove 19 matingly receives a panel tongue formation 20, just as the groove and tongue portions 19,20 of a plural-part panel unit 12 interlock with one another, as shown in FIG. 4.

Each of the panel parts 16 is extruded to form a plurality or like integral and elongated bracket formations 24 projecting from opposite sides thereof, these brackets being symmetric in respect to the vertical center plane of the panel unit 12. The bracket formations 24 are parallel, identically spaced vertically from one another; and they extend along the entire horizontal length of panel 12, save at the ends of the latter in which its marginal portion nests in the recess 21 of an upright trim part 14. Each bracket 24 is of generally T- shaped cross section, including a flat horizontal and longitudinally extending stem portion 25, and a terminal cross portion 26. These portions coact with the panel body to provide upper and lower seating and supporting grooves which are reentrant in nature, the grooves accommodating nose portions of the improved indicium-mounting clips of the sign. These are generally designated 27 and will later be described in detail.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the removable indicium pieces of the sign 10, generally designated 28 (and which may be alphabetically or otherwise outlined), are preferably molded of a suitable plastic material, being illustratively shown respectively in FIGS. 2 and 3 in the form of the letters I and E. The outer surface of each is beveled marginally at 29, and each has two or more clip holders or keepers 30 adhesively secured to its rear surface facing the center panel 12. Like the indicia 28, the keepers 30 are preferably molded of an appropriate moldable or extrudable plastic material, and may for example, by cut off in proper lengths from an extrusion. As is evident, the indicium member 28 for E will, for a stable mount to the center panel unit 12, require more of the clip keepers 30 than the I indicium 28 hence four are used.

As best appears in FIGS. 2 and 4, and although specific details of the shape thereof may vary within the intent of the invention, each of the like clip holders 30, as applied to the rear of an indicium 28, is shaped to afford a bayonet slot-type of interlocking engagement with one of the spring clips 27. To this end, the member 30 is provided with upper and lower horizontal ledge formations 31, at which it is secured to the rear of the indicium 28, as by an appropriate plastic adhesive, and, in forwardly spaced relation to the adhering ledge formations 31, with a restraining wall 32 in which a rectangular clip-insertion opening 33 is formed in communication with a keeper slot 34. The shape and size of this opening are later referred to in reference to the clip 27.

FIG. 5 shows one of the indicium-supporting clips 27 in its relaxed free condition. It is formed of a good grade of spring steel in a generally L-shaped outline, i.e., with its spring arm portions 36, 37 disposed at about 90 to one another. These arms are of approximately equal length, and are integrally connected at the inner ends thereof by a rounded nose bight portion 38. Arms 36, 37 terminate at their opposite ends in 90 outturned finger formations 39 of predeterminedly limited length; and the clip arm 36 meets the nose or bight 38 at an oblique angle portion 40, for a purpose mentioned later.

In applying the clips 27 to an indicium piece 28, the clip arms 36, 37 are compressed toward one another past the operationally stressed configuration thereof shown in FIG. 4, either before or after insertion of its then fully outlined bight portion or nose 38 in the recess of panel bracket formation 24. In this fully compressed condition of spring clip 27 its arms 36, 37 are in flatwise engagement with one another outwardly of the connecting nose part 38, and their finger extensions 39 lie in a plane at to them. Clip 27 is dimensioned to have the fingers 39 of equal lengths totalling a bit less than the vertical dimension of the keeper opening 33, permitting ready insertion of the fingers in the latter. The arms 36, 37 are then released from compression in effect an interlock under springing stress 34, as shown in FIG. 4.

As appears in that figure, in the case an upper bracket formation 24, the nose formation 38 of the clip will angle downwardly into the brackets upper reentrant recess behind the cross portion 26; in the case of a lower clip 27 of the same indicium, its nose 38 will incline upwardly into an identical but downwardly opening bracket formation. In each instance the oblique angle clip formation at 40 rests firmly against a horizontal extremity of the bracket cross part 26. Thus the supported indicia 28 are firmly restrained from vertical shift, being also restrained frictionally against accidental horizontal displacement.

What is claimed is:

1. A display device comprising a panel unit having at least one elongated, bracket-like support member fixedly projecting from at least one side thereof, said member presenting an elongated supporting recess paralleling said panel unit and opening transversely of the length of the support member, a display indicium member presenting a viewed front surface and having an opposite rear surface, at least one keeper element in fixed relation to said rear surface of said indicium member, and a spring clip releasably mounting said in dicium member to said frame unit, said clip comprising a nose portion engageable in the recess of the support member, and a pair of spring arms integral with and extending forwardly of said nose portion, said arms terminating in locking fingers engaged, with said arms under flexing stress, with the keeper element.

2. A display device comprising a generally planar panel unit haying parallel, laterally spaced rows of like elongated bracket-like support members fixedly projecting from at least one side thereof, said members each presenting an elongated supporting recess paralleling said panel unit and opening transversely of the length of the support member, display indicium members each presenting a viewed front surface and having an opposite rear surface, at least one keeper element in fixed relation to said rear surface of each of said indicium members, said keeper elements each providing a rearwardly opening, bayonet slot-type keeper recess rearwardly defined by a retaining part of the keeper element, and a spring clip releasably mounting each of said indicium members to said panel unit, the clip comprising a nose portion engageable in the recess of a support member, and a pair of spring arms integral with and extending forwardly of said nose portion, said arms terminating in locking fingers engaged, with said arms under flexing stress, in the slot of the keeper element forwardly of said retaining part of said element.

3. The display device of claim 1, in which said recess of the panel unit support member opens vertically.

4. The display device of claim 2, in which said recesses of the panel unit support members open vertically.

5. The display device of claim 3, in which there are a pair of said recesses on one side of the support member and respectively opening upwardly and downwardly.

6. The display device of claim 2, in which said recesses of the support members open vertically and are of generally reentrant cross-section, there being a pair of said recesses on one side of each support member respectively opening upwardly and downwardly.

7. The display device of claim 1, in which said clip arms are spring-flexed divergently when the locking fingers thereof are engaged with the keeper element, the fingers extending in opposite directions.

8. The display device of claim 2, in which said clip arms are spring-flexed divergently when the locking fingers thereof are engaged in the slot of the keeper element, the fingers extending in opposite directions and being of a combined length to enable their passing through a restricted mouth of the slot forwardly of the latters retaining part when the arms are compressingly flexed.

9. The display device of claim 3, in which said clip arms are spring-flexed divergently when the locking fingers thereof are engaged with the interior of the keeper element, the fingers extending in opposite directions in such engagement.

10. The display device of claim 4, in which said clip arms are spring-flexed divergently when the locking fingers thereof are engaged in the slot of the keeper element, the fingers extending in opposite directions and being of a combined length to enable their passing through a restricted mouth of the slot forwardly of the latters retaining part when the arms are compressingly flexed.

11. The display device of claim 6, in which said clip arms are spring-flexed divergently when the locking fingers thereof are engaged in the slot of the keeper element, the fingers extending in opposite directions and being of a combined length to enable their passing through a restricted mouth of the slot forwardly of the latters retaining part when the arms are compressingly flexed.

12. The display device of claim 1, in which said panel unit has support members as described projecting from opposite sides thereof.

13. The display device of claim 2, in which said panel unit has rows of said support members projecting from opposite sides thereof.

14. The display device of claim 5, in which said panel unit has support members as described projecting from opposite sides thereof.

15. The display device of claim 8, in which said panel unit has rows of said support members projecting from opposite sides thereof.

16. The display device of claim 11, in which said panel unit has rows of said support member members projecting from opposite sides thereof.

17. The display device of claim 1, in which said panel unit comprises a plurality of like panel parts disposed in edge-abutting relation to one another, formed at adjacent abutting edges for a mating interfitted engagement with one another.

18. The display device of claim 2, in which said panel unit comprises a plurality of like panel parts disposed in edge-abutting relation to one another, formed at adjacent abutting edges for a mating interfitted engagement with one another. 

1. A display device comprising a panel unit having at least one elongated, bracket-like support member fixedly projecting from at least one side thereof, said member presenting an elongated supporting recess paralleling said panel unit and opening transversely of the length of the support member, a display indicium member presenting a viewed front surface and having an opposite rear surface, at least one keeper element in fixed relation to said rear surface of said indicium member, and a spring clip releasably mounting said indicium member to said frame unit, said clip comprising a nose portion engageable in the recess of the support member, and a pair of spring arms integral with and extending forwardly of said nose portion, said arms terminating in locking fingers engaged, with said arms under flexing stress, with the keeper element.
 2. A display device comprising a generally planar panel unit having parallel, laterally spaced rows of like elongated bracket-like support members fixedly projecting from at least one side thereof, said members each presenting an elongated supporting recess paralleling said panel unit and opening transversely of the length of the support member, display indicium members each presenting a viewed front surface and having an opposite rear surface, at least one keeper element in fixed relation to said rear surface of each of said indicium members, said keeper elements each providing a rearwardly opening, bayonet slot-type keeper recess rearwardly defined by a retaining part of the keeper element, and a spring clip releasably mounting each of said indicium members to said panel unit, the clip comprising a nose portion engageable in the recess of a support member, and a pair of spring arms integral with and extending forwardly of said nose portion, said arms terminating in locking fingers engaged, with said arms under flexing stress, in the slot of the keeper element forwardly of said retaining part of said element.
 3. The display device of claim 1, in which said recess of the panel unit support member opens vertically.
 4. The display device of claim 2, in which said recesses of the panel unit support members open vertically.
 5. The display device of claim 3, in which there are a pair of said recesses on one side of the support member and respectively opening upwardly and downwardly.
 6. The display device of claim 2, in which said recesses of the support members open vertically and are of generally reentrant cross-section, there being a pair of said recesses on one side of each support member respectively opening upwardly and downwardly.
 7. The display device of claim 1, in which said clip arms are spring-flexed divergently when the locking fingers thereof are engaged with the keeper element, the fingers extending in opposite directions.
 8. The display device of claim 2, in which said clip arms are spring-flexed divergently when the locking fingers thereof are engaged in the slot of the keeper element, the fingers extending in opposite directions and being of a combined length to enable their passing through a restricted mouth of the slot forwardly of the latter''s retaining part when the arms are compressingly flexed.
 9. The display device of claim 3, in which said clip arms are spring-flexed divergently when the locking fingers thereof are engaged with the interior of the keeper element, the fingers extending in opposite directions in such engagement.
 10. The display devIce of claim 4, in which said clip arms are spring-flexed divergently when the locking fingers thereof are engaged in the slot of the keeper element, the fingers extending in opposite directions and being of a combined length to enable their passing through a restricted mouth of the slot forwardly of the latter''s retaining part when the arms are compressingly flexed.
 11. The display device of claim 6, in which said clip arms are spring-flexed divergently when the locking fingers thereof are engaged in the slot of the keeper element, the fingers extending in opposite directions and being of a combined length to enable their passing through a restricted mouth of the slot forwardly of the latter''s retaining part when the arms are compressingly flexed.
 12. The display device of claim 1, in which said panel unit has support members as described projecting from opposite sides thereof.
 13. The display device of claim 2, in which said panel unit has rows of said support members projecting from opposite sides thereof.
 14. The display device of claim 5, in which said panel unit has support members as described projecting from opposite sides thereof.
 15. The display device of claim 8, in which said panel unit has rows of said support members projecting from opposite sides thereof.
 16. The display device of claim 11, in which said panel unit has rows of said support member members projecting from opposite sides thereof.
 17. The display device of claim 1, in which said panel unit comprises a plurality of like panel parts disposed in edge-abutting relation to one another, formed at adjacent abutting edges for a mating interfitted engagement with one another.
 18. The display device of claim 2, in which said panel unit comprises a plurality of like panel parts disposed in edge-abutting relation to one another, formed at adjacent abutting edges for a mating interfitted engagement with one another. 